Tag: Business & Human Rights

Today a coalition of Turkish and international media, human rights organizations, and political groups have published an Open Letter to the Turkish Government demanding that it protect Turkish people’s right to freedom of expression during the elections. The letter underscores the fact that social media and independent media websites help to ensure access to information in Turkey, and asks the government to pledge not to block access to the internet or to specific online services.

On March 30-April 1, we’ll hold RightsCon 2016, returning once again to Silicon Valley. Help shape the discussion by submitting an idea for a session.

On 27 October, 2015 the European Parliament will vote in plenary on the Telecoms Single Market (TSM) regulation, legislation that could bring Net Neutrality to the 28 EU member states.

Earlier this year, the three major European institutions reached an agreement in the Telecoms Single Market trialogue, where lawmakers made several ambitious promises. Among them was the promise to enshrine Net Neutrality rules concretely into EU law. The aim: to guarantee Europeans the “most comprehensive open internet rules,” and to prevent fragmenting equitable cross-border internet services that are in a single market. However, as it stands, the legislation is not yet clear enough to realize these grand ambitions.

San Francisco – Today Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey pledged his company’s support for free expression, accountability, and transparency. His statement — including an explicit mention of Politwoops, the politician accountability tool — is a clear response to grassroots pressure, including an open letter signed by 50 global groups in support of Politwoops.

Today Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey pledged his company’s support for free expression, accountability, and transparency. His statement — including an explicit mention of Politwoops, a politician accountability tool — is to be applauded. We’re happy to see Twitter’s commitment to accountability and transparency online, and we encourage the sector to follow Twitter’s lead.

Access Now condemns the recent attacks on our civil society partners, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and others who have worked for many years in this important space. Every internet user deserves the ability to fully exercise their human rights without harassment or threats of physical harm. As we have seen time and time again, online harassment affects many communities, and specifically women, communities of color, and marginalized minorities.

Today, several news outlets reported an internet shutdown in Congo-Brazzaville, where thousands of people are protesting after news surfaced that President Sassou Nguesso is contemplating a proposal to extend presidential term limits. While it’s not clear yet what’s happening in Congo-Brazzaville, we’re very concerned about the safety and security of the people protesting. Internet shutdowns do not restore order, help victims, or protect rights.